Editorial Policies

The Archives of Clinical and Experimental Orthopaedics (ACEO) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of editorial integrity, transparency, and academic excellence. The editorial policies are aligned with the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).

“Editorial independence and integrity are the cornerstones of ethical scientific publishing.”

Editorial Independence

The Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board maintain full responsibility for editorial decisions. The publisher does not influence the selection, evaluation, or acceptance of manuscripts. The editorial process is transparent, unbiased, and based on scientific merit.

• Editors act independently from sponsors, advertisers, or institutional affiliations.
• All editorial decisions are guided by the journal’s scope, peer review outcomes, and ethical considerations.
• Conflicts of interest are managed in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Peer Review Policy

All manuscripts undergo double-blind peer review to ensure impartial evaluation. Reviewers are selected based on expertise, publication history, and professional conduct. Confidentiality is strictly maintained throughout the process.

Conflict of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence the work. Conflicts are declared in the manuscript’s “Competing Interests” section.

• Editors recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where conflicts exist.
• Reviewers must decline assignments if conflicts could compromise objectivity.
• Authors must provide full transparency on funding and affiliations.

Authorship and Contribution

Authorship must reflect significant intellectual contribution. ACEO adheres to ICMJE’s four authorship criteria:

1. Substantial contribution to conception, design, data acquisition, or analysis.
2. Drafting or critically revising the manuscript for intellectual content.
3. Final approval of the version to be published.
4. Accountability for all aspects of the work’s accuracy and integrity.

Contributors who do not meet these criteria should be acknowledged in an “Acknowledgements” section.

Data Sharing and Reproducibility

Authors are encouraged to make underlying data available in public repositories whenever possible, following the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles. Data availability statements must be included in each publication.

Plagiarism and Misconduct

All submissions are screened through plagiarism detection tools (e.g., Turnitin or iThenticate). Manuscripts with >15% unreferenced similarity may be rejected or returned for correction. Research or publication misconduct, including data fabrication or duplicate submission, is handled according to COPE flowcharts.

Ethical Compliance

Authors must obtain approval from institutional ethics committees for human and animal studies. Informed consent must be documented for studies involving human participants. Research involving animals should comply with ARRIVE guidelines and international animal welfare standards.

Handling of Complaints and Appeals

Complaints regarding editorial decisions or publication ethics are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and, if necessary, by an independent ethics committee. Appeals must include clear justification supported by evidence.

Retraction and Correction Policy

Articles may be retracted if found to contain serious errors, plagiarism, or ethical violations. Minor errors are corrected through formal errata. Retraction notices remain permanently accessible to preserve the scholarly record.

Editorial Board Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality of all submissions and reviewer identities.
• Ensure fair, timely, and unbiased review processes.
• Promote journal integrity and diversity in authorship and content.
• Uphold transparent communication with authors and reviewers.

Advertising and Sponsorship

Advertising does not influence editorial decisions. Sponsored supplements or advertisements are clearly labeled. Financial relationships between editors and sponsors are publicly disclosed when relevant.

Corrections, Retractions, and Editorial Expressions

When substantial errors are discovered, ACEO issues appropriate notices following COPE guidance:

• Correction: For honest errors not affecting results or conclusions.
• Retraction: For misconduct or major data inaccuracies.
• Editorial Expression of Concern: When investigations are ongoing.

Archiving and Record Preservation

All editorial decisions, peer review reports, and correspondence are archived securely in compliance with GDPR. Editorial data is retained for at least five years to ensure accountability and transparency.

Transparency in Editorial Processes

ACEO maintains an open editorial structure. Editors’ names, affiliations, and contact information are publicly listed on the journal website. Decision-making metrics and average review times are periodically published to maintain transparency.

Confidentiality

Reviewers and editors must treat submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. They may not share or discuss them without explicit permission from the editorial office.

Appeals and Reconsideration

Authors may appeal editorial decisions within 30 days of notification. Appeals should be addressed to [email protected] with a detailed justification referencing reviewer comments. Appeals are handled by a separate editorial committee to ensure fairness.

Conclusion

The Editorial Policies of ACEO are designed to ensure that every manuscript is evaluated fairly, ethically, and efficiently. These principles uphold the trust between authors, reviewers, and readers, ensuring the credibility of the scientific record.